Thread: Hard strop or traditional

I pull my strop taut, hard enough for me. I guess paddlestrops are hard strops if you like.

Hi
I looked at various paddle strops and decided to make rather than spend $

I've made and experimented with a couple of paddle strops, like them for traveling mostly... Yes, they are "hard" in comparison to hanging strops because they stay flat, but IME they should not be hard.
I made a paddle strop with a pasted denim side (from an old pair of jeans), on my first try I used only one layer of denim on the wood. That was a hard strop, and it ruined the edge of the razor when I tested it out. I guess it damaged the edge when I flipped it to go the other direction. So I had to add four more layers before it became soft enough.

Jacob

If you watch Murray Carter, he like Mastro Livi believe that a firm, not hard surface is the best. Whether it is a SRD modular, which I prefer, or Mastro Livi's paddle or laying a leather strop or belt on a hard surface, it's the easiest way to maximize the blade against the strop without rounding an edge.

I'm glad this particular strop post has appeared. I have an old bull brand strop in excellent condition with leather and linen. I'm thinking about gluing them to a paddle. Right now it is a hanging strop. I currently have a very nice paddle strop and really like how it performs.
I really listen to people on this forum and have learned a great deal from all of you. Once again I would ask if you think that's a good idea or a bad idea. Be brutal and honest. I love real feedback not some sugar coated bullshit.

Hi

The old style strops served for a very long time.
I suggest pulling them tight in use.
If the old strop is a collectors item, go to Tandy and buy some leather and glue it to your paddle. Pick up some barge cement at the same time.
I think the linen ot felt serves well to hold the abrasive of your choice.
I have a bar of Green Chrox that was intended for a wheel. It is too hard for a strop.
I have used it on knives intended for leather work.
It brings up a very keen edge for a knife.
Do not use it for a razor strop.
The Crox intended for Razors is a much softer mix spreads on the strop well.
Have fun

Originally Posted by dkwflight

Hi

The old style strops served for a very long time.
I suggest pulling them tight in use.
If the old strop is a collectors item, go to Tandy and buy some leather and glue it to your paddle. Pick up some barge cement at the same time.
I think the linen ot felt serves well to hold the abrasive of your choice.
I have a bar of Green Chrox that was intended for a wheel. It is too hard for a strop.
I have used it on knives intended for leather work.
It brings up a very keen edge for a knife.
Do not use it for a razor strop.
The Crox intended for Razors is a much softer mix spreads on the strop well.
Have fun

That's a very sensible approach. I think that I will leave the hanging strop alone. I do have a very nice paddle strop and it gives me great performance. Was just trying to continuously improve on my equipment and techniques.

Thank you Dennis, I appreciate your feedback.